The Lost Art of Play

"I, God, am your playmate! I will lead the child in you in wonderful ways for I have chosen you. Beloved child, come swiftly to me for I am truly in you. Remember this: The smallest soul of all is still the daughter of the Father, the sister of the Son, the friend of the Holy Spirit and the true bride of the Holy Trinity."
                                           - Mechtild of Magdeburg

You've probably never heard of Mechtild so let me get introductions out of the way. This German laywoman and mystic was a member of the Beguine movement and lived from 1210 - 1282. She kept a life-long journal which later was published and called Flowing Light of the Godhead. As part of the Beguine movement, she (along with her fellow Beguines) was threatened and attacked by the Pope who condemned the women's movement seventeen times. Nevertheless there are traces of that tradition that survive today in Sweden, other parts of Europe and some in America.

What I want to talk about today is the lost art of play. I know you're probably thinking "how is play an art and where has it gone?"...or maybe you weren't thinking that and you were just nodding in agreement. Either way, Mechtild's above quote is beautiful in it's voice; she speaks from God's perspective and reminds us that there is a child in each of us. Most people remember Jesus telling his followers to come believe and become like children; few, however, link this idea to more than just salvation.

What if Mechtild is right and becoming like a child means tapping into that part of you that was once innocent, trusting, believing, hoping and playing. I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and I am constantly amazed at their little lives. It's worth it to watch how they interact; the edges of their world are full of wonder and possibility. They dream and plan and execute the most outrageous stories; they believe in a world where they are not forced into categories that they don't choose themselves. It's beautiful really.

Rewind to innocence. 

We often talk about how salvation is a metaphysical reset to innocence in our soul, but we forget that our soul is a complex thing and when it is made new, it cannot be simply a transaction of categorical standing. Instead it is making it okay to to trust again, making it okay to believe again or even make believe again. As adults we become jaded with disappointment and loss; children naturally have little reference for ideas like funerals, backstabbing or being taken advantage of (sadly, I feel more and more are learning earlier and earlier). So when we read about Jesus wanting us to be like children, we should understand that it makes it okay to be soft again, to sleep soundly and, yes, to play.

So why play, specifically?

In playing, our hearts are open for anything possible and, what's better, anything impossible. If you ever watch children dancing to music, you know that the reservations of adulthood have not burdened them yet. Mechtild is telling us that God wants to be our playmate; he wants to remind us to dream and believe and build and explore. Playing is how we reawaken those parts of us that were once dead and practice the freedom we've been given by our rebirth.

So now what?

 Now go play! It seems silly and flippant, but truly in moving our bodies in play and dreaming with friends and simply encountering the world with light and open hearts, we are doing exactly what Jesus says to do. Our bodies are a part of our person and to think that our baptism into the Kingdom and family of God is some abstract metaphysical transaction only is a deprivation of the true extent to which we can be changed. Honestly, CrossFit has become a way that I have regained that play-aspect in my life. Perhaps that's not your outlet; maybe its bike riding, dancing, or yard work. Whatever it is, believe that it's worth it to find space and outlet to play; let your inner-child play with God. As Mechtild says, he is your playmate, brother and father. Realize that all of your play is actually a practice in relationship and, as such, is holy.

So go move!

Peace,

C.M.

p.s. For all you link-junkies out there, my "apologies" at all the Rend Collective songs...I was listening to them while writing this and I think they have a unique way of capturing the same freshness of soul that I was writing about, so if you intend on meditating on this idea, listen to some of their stuff while doing it. You just may be inspired :) Also, check out this cool place.